Announcing the first funded community-led research projects
The Rural Durham Community Research Network (RDCRN) is excited to announce its first round of funded community-led research projects. Four organisations will explore issues identified locally as significant to daily life: the role of heritage and the arts in strengthening connections, transport barriers for young people, the impact of volunteer companionship, and how shared community spaces support rural life.
“We are thrilled to see VCSE organisations awarded funding for their community-led research projects. As local VCSE organisations who know their communities best, they bring invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by rural areas” said Kate Burrows, Executive Director, Durham Community Action, Paul Cowie, CEO, Rural Design Centre and RDCRN’s delivery team. “The funding is a recognition of their hard work and commitment and will go on to create more resilient communities where solutions are shaped by local people and real experiences.”
Applications for funding were reviewed by a panel of five, including RDCRN partners not directly involved in its running, Investing in Children, Northern Heartlands, and a representative of the academic community from Insights NE. Each proposal was assessed against published criteria, scored individually, and discussed collectively before the panel reached unanimous decisions. In total, £32,697 was awarded. Those not funded this time received written feedback and were encouraged to stay involved in the network, with future rounds remaining open to them.
Supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Young Foundation, the five-year Community Research Networks programme puts research tools directly in the hands of communities. As part of this, the Rural Durham Community Research Network combines local knowledge with structured research so that insight is rigorous and rooted in everyday realities. This first round of awards will build evidence that communities can share to support more effective local services, funding decisions and wider policy. Alongside the funded projects, the network is creating space for communities, organisations, and decision-makers to share learning and act on priorities identified by local people, offering something distinct from traditional academic approaches, which can sometimes miss the nuance of lived experience.
Jack Drum Arts: Exploring heritage and the arts as community connectors
Jack Drum Arts will explore how community arts and creative practice can connect generations, and help communities engage with and celebrate their heritage in new and imaginative ways. The research will investigate how shared artistic experiences reveal what makes rural County Durham communities distinctive, and how these experiences build a sense of identity, pride, and belonging, especially for young people.
Young researchers will lead the project design, encouraging participation from residents of all ages in Teesdale and Weardale. Using surveys, focus groups, and case studies, they will gather insights from across the community, including schools and youth groups, local arts organisations, volunteer history groups, community leaders, and cultural organisations linked to the area’s mining and railway heritage.
This approach will highlight how heritage not only strengthens people’s connection to place but also fosters new relationships between younger and older residents, as well as between long-standing and newer community members.
The findings will be shared through a public presentation and published report, ensuring they can be widely accessed. By providing credible evidence of how heritage and the arts act as connectors, the project will inform Jack Drum Arts’ future creative work, support funding applications, and contribute valuable learning for other organisations and policymakers shaping rural programmes and priorities.
TCR Hub: Young people researching transport barriers in Teesdale
Young people will undertake research in Teesdale, supported by TCR Hub, to explore how limited or unreliable transport affects their opportunities and wellbeing. From education and employment to social activities and community involvement, access to transport shapes daily life in rural areas and often determines whether young people can participate.
The research has been generated from the young people’s own ideas and will be designed by a youth social action group, with guidance from experienced youth workers. Collaborating with other young people from across Teesdale, they will use surveys, focus groups, and case studies to explore transport barriers, capture lived experiences, and gather perspectives from schools, youth organisations, and local service providers.
The findings will be shared through two main outputs: a youth-produced film, chosen by the young people as the medium they felt best represented their experiences, alongside a formal written report for professionals. Together, these will ensure that local authorities, transport providers, and other decision-makers hear directly from young people while also having structured evidence they can use to inform services. The project will also give young researchers skills and confidence to continue leading change in their communities.
UTASS: Understanding the impacts of volunteer companionship in Teesdale
UTASS, working in partnership with Teesdale Day Clubs, will research how volunteer-led companionship can reduce isolation and improve wellbeing in rural Teesdale. Many residents face barriers to taking part in community life, including mobility and health issues, low confidence, lack of transport, and financial challenges. As a result, long periods of time spent alone are common. Time Together Teesdale already matches trained volunteers with people who might otherwise have little social contact. This research will explore the difference that companionship makes both for those receiving visits and for the volunteers themselves.
The study will be led by the Time Together Coordinator with support from volunteers and a local steering group. Interviews, short surveys, and informal group discussions will be used to capture experiences from volunteer companions, people receiving support, and other community members. The project will also consider what motivates people to volunteer, what support they need, and how this type of scheme can be sustained and strengthened in rural areas.
The findings will be shared through reports, visual summaries, a community event, and local networks to ensure they reach a wide audience. By generating evidence of the personal and community-level impacts of companionship, the project will help UTASS and Teesdale Day Clubs plan future work, give confidence to other organisations considering similar approaches, and inform wider discussions among funders and policymakers about how best to address rural isolation.
Weardale Together: Exploring the social value of shared spaces
Weardale Together, supported by Weardale WordFest volunteers, will research the role of shared community spaces in supporting connection, wellbeing, resilience, and creative opportunity across Weardale. In a large rural area, shared village halls, churches, and community centres are vital for community life. The project will explore how these spaces are used, what they mean to people, whether they feel welcoming to everyone, and how they can continue to provide opportunities for creativity and cultural expression across all ages.
The project team will draw on the network of well-supported activities they already run in local spaces, from youth programmes and craft sessions to writing workshops, community cafés, and cultural festivals. These connections will provide a strong foundation for engaging residents in the research and exploring how shared spaces can support community life.
A mix of surveys, creative workshops, a community gathering, and a youth-led zine project will be used to gather insight from residents of different ages and backgrounds. Surveys will be offered both online and face-to-face to ensure residents without easy online access can take part. The research will also involve schools, volunteer groups, and community venues in Weardale, while drawing on examples from other rural areas to compare challenges and highlight good practice.
The findings will be shared through a report, film, and public exhibition, helping local people reflect on the value of shared spaces and their creative potential. By generating evidence on what strengthens or undermines community provision, the project will support local campaigns, guide the future work of Weardale Together, and contribute to wider policy and funding conversations about sustaining rural community life.
To find out more about RDCRN or get involved, email Jemma.Austin@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
A network launch event will take place on 15th October 2025 in Barnard Castle, offering the chance to meet the research teams, hear more about their work, and join a growing community for learning, collaboration, and exchange.
Click here for full details and to book your place at the network launch.